Control Top Pantyhose

ABSTRACT

A pair of control top pantyhose includes a panty portion connected to two leg portions. The panty portion is made of a reinforced segment and a non-reinforced segment integrally knitted together. The reinforced segment encircles the body of a wearer and substantially covers the abdomen. The non-reinforced segment covers the crotch of the wearer.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/210,606 titled “PANTYHOSE WITH MODIFIED CROTCH”, which was filed on Mar. 20, 2009, and the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to control top pantyhose with or without foot, in particular to control top pantyhose with a non-reinforced crotch area to provide comfort to the wearer.

For years people have been concerned about sliming down or smoothing and sculpting the undesirable body bulges by wearing tight girdles, shapewear, or control top pantyhose. These tight garments place a great amount of compressive force on the body and cause a high level of discomfort. Furthermore when the wearer sits down, the compressive force increases in the crotch area and on the leg fold lines, which intensifies the discomfort and may also restrict the blood circulation. The discomfort is undesirable; however, when the wearer needs to sit for extended hours, the discomfort may become intolerable.

Therefore, there is a need for pantyhose that provide control as well as comfort.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The pantyhose of the present invention comprise a panty portion connected to two leg portions. The panty portion comprises a reinforced segment and a non-reinforced segment, which are integrally knitted to each other. The reinforced segment encircles the body of a wearer substantially covering the abdomen and the non-reinforced segment covers the crotch area.

In one embodiment, the panty portion comprises a first panty portion and a second panty portion connected to each other along a seam line extending down from the front of the waist terminating portion to the crotch and extending up to the back of the waist terminating portion.

In another embodiment, the leg portions comprise a seam line starting from one leg terminating portion extending up to the crotch and back down to the leg terminating portion of the other leg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of a pair of pantyhose of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the back view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the footless version of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the method by which the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 are made.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the method by which the embodiment of FIG. 5 is made.

FIG. 7 illustrates a buffering zone between the reinforced and non-reinforced segments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a different panty shape for the pantyhose of this invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a curved hip line.

FIG. 10 illustrates a yet another curved hip line.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates the back view of the embodiment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates the footless version of the embodiment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates the back view of the embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates the footless version of the embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates the back view of the embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates the footless version of the embodiment of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown front and back views of control top pantyhose 10 of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the footless version of FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIGS. 1-3 identical numerals depict the like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the control top pantyhose 10 have a panty portion 12 which is connected to a waist terminating portion 14. The waist terminating portion 14 can be an elastic band, knitted-in welt, or any other knitting process which can prevent the terminating edge from unraveling and can hold the pantyhose on the wearer's body. For the purpose of simplicity hereinafter, the waist terminating portion will be referred to as waistband 14.

The panty portion 12 is also integrally connected to two leg portions 16 a and 16 b at transition lines 18. Each transition line 18 represents the location where the panty portion 12 ends and the leg portion starts. In other words, transition lines 18 represent where the panty portion 12 connects to the leg portions 16 a and 16 b, but there is no need for any distinct lines. For example in the toe to waist sheer pantyhose, there are no transition lines. However, it is understood that any portion above the location of lines 18 is considered the panty portion.

In the pantyhose 10, each leg portion 16 a and 16 b has a foot portion 15 a and 15 b respectively for covering a foot of a wearer and therefore, each leg portion 16 a and 16 b terminates at a toe seam line 20 a and 20 b respectively. In the footless pantyhose 10′, each leg portion 16 a′ and 16 b′ terminates at a leg band 21 a and 21 b respectively.

In conventional control top pantyhose, the entire panty portion from the waistband to the transition line is reinforced.

Contrary to conventional pantyhose, the panty portion 12 has a reinforced segment 22 and a non-reinforced segment 24. The reinforced segment 22 of the pantyhose 10 generally extends from the waistband 14 to the hip line 26 and encircles the body of a wearer substantially covering the abdomen.

In this specification “the hip line 26” is defined as “a line encircling the body of the wearer while passing through two points A and B, each of which representing the proximity of a location on the side of the leg from which the leg bends” and “the crotch line 28” is defined as “a horizontal line passing through the lowest point of the crotch”. The proper distance between the hip lines 26 and the crotch line 28 depends on the size and the stretch factor of the pantyhose.

Since the reinforced segment 22 ends at the hip line 26, it does not cover the crotch area 30, the lower part of the buttocks, and the lowest part of the abdomen. However, since the bulging of the abdomen usually starts from the general area represented by the hip line 26, the reinforced segment 22 substantially covers the abdomen and its problem area.

The non-reinforced segment 24 generally extends from the hipline 26 to the transition line 18 and encircles a wearer's body covering the crotch area, lowest part of abdomen, leg fold lines 32 a and 32 b, and the lower portion of the buttocks. Therefore, the non-reinforced segment 24 substantially reduces the compression force placed on the crotch area 30 and the fold lines 32 a and 32 b by the conventional control top pantyhose.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, it should be noted that in this specification, what is referred to as the “crotch area” 30 is not a gusset. Gusset 34, as shown in FIG. 3, is an extra piece that is typically sewn into the crotch area 30 to provide more comfort. The crotch area 30 may or may not include a gusset.

In this specification, the crotch area 30 is defined as an area in the vicinity of the crotch, which is integrally knitted into the panty portion. Typically, the crotch area extends above the crotch line 28 either in front or in the back or both in front and in the back by a few inches. For example in an unworn pantyhose, the crotch area 30 extends above the crotch line 28 by about 2 to 3 inches and extends from the seam line 36 to each side by about 1 to 3 inches. However, different size pantyhose may have different measurements. The reason the above measurements refer to unworn pantyhose is that once the pantyhose are worn, depending on the size of the wearer, the degree of stretch changes and the measurements become incompatible.

The crotch area 30 is entirely located in the non-reinforced segment 24. However, if a gusset is used, the gusset can be sized and sewn to the crotch of the pantyhose in such a manner that it may or may not extend into the reinforced segment 22. In other words, if a gusset is used, it will be located in the non-reinforced segment 24 and a portion of it may or may not extend into the reinforced segment 22.

Typically, the crotch area 30 receives a great amount of pulling tension from the movements of the wearer, such as bending or sitting, and therefore some designers may modify the construction of the pantyhose in the crotch area 30 and call it reinforcing. This type of reinforcing typically is accomplished, for example, by adding layers or stitches.

However, for the purpose of clarification, in this specification the word “reinforced” is used as “a pantyhose material with a high compression factor or greater resistance to stretch for the purpose of sculpting or shaping the body of a wearer” created by, but not limited to, the following methods: “using high denier elastic yarns typically in the range of about 60 to 560 denier” or “using low denier (less than 60 denier) elastic yarns in combination with a knitting parameter such as, but not limited to, reducing the stitch length, increasing the yarn feed-in tension, increasing the stitch density, or floating an extra elastic yarn.”

The non-reinforced segment is defined as “a pantyhose material with a low compression factor or a lower resistance to stretch which does not have enough compression factor to sculpt or shape the body of a wearer” created by, but not limited to, the following methods: “using low denier elastic yarns typically in the range of 0 to 60 denier” or “using high denier elastic yarns in combination with a knitting parameters such as increasing the stitch length, decreasing the yarn feed-in tension, or decreasing the stitch density.”

It should be noted that since the non-reinforced segment can also be made without using any elastic yarns, in this specification, “0 denier” is defined as using “no elastic yarn.”

Furthermore, in this specification “elastic yarn” is defined as “elastomeric yarns, such as spandex, which have the capability to stretch, but present a degree of resistance to stretch and once stretched, they contract from the stretched position with a degree of power.” This power is what creates the compression factor. Typically to create a reinforced pantyhose material, a body yarn such as nylon is coupled with an elastic yarn. Depending on the denier of the elastic yarn and the knitting parameters, different levels of stretch resistance or compression factors and therefore different levels of reinforcement can be created.

In contrast stretch yarns, such as nylon, which are typically used as body yarns, can stretch and contract, but do not exert power, which is required for sculpting or shaping a body.

Both the reinforced and non-reinforced segments 22 and 24 of the panty portion 12 have a common body yarn of 40 denier nylon to create a similar opacity, but if one desires, different body yarns can be used to create different opacities between the two segments 22 and 24. Alternatively, any other body yarn with any denier suitable for control top pantyhose can also be used. In addition, the reinforced segment has an 80 denier spandex and the non-reinforced segment has a 40 denier spandex.

The legs 16 a and 16 b of pantyhose 10 have a body yarn of 20 denier nylon coupled with a 20 denier spandex. However, any type of body yarn or elastic yarn suitable for sheer or opaque pantyhose can also be used. The legs 16′a and 16′b of the footless pantyhose 10′ are made of 40 denier nylon body yarn to keep the same opacity between the panty portion and the leg portions. However, any type of body yarn suitable for sheer or opaque footless pantyhose can also be used.

It should also be noted that in this specification, reinforced, control, and support shall all mean the same.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pantyhose 10 and 10′ of FIGS. 1-3 are made with a circular knitting machine, which creates two seamless tubular blanks 10 a and 10 b. In tubular blanks 10 a and 10 b, the leg portions 16 a and 16 b are integrally knitted to their panty portions 12 a and 12 b respectively and in panty portions 12 a and 12 b, the reinforced segment 22 a and 22 b are integrally knitted to their non-reinforced segments 24 a and 24 b respectively. The reinforced segments 22 a and 22 b are integrally knitted to the waistbands 14 a and 14 b respectively and the non-reinforced segments 24 a and 24 b are integrally knitted to the leg portions 16 a and 16 b respectively.

The tubular pantyhose 10 a and 10 b are slit through their waistband 14 a and 14 b, the reinforced segment 22 a and 22 b, and through a predetermined amount of the non-reinforced segment 24 a and 24 b respectively. The slit edges 36 are joined together along the seam line 36, which extends from the front of waistband 14 down to the crotch area 30 and then up to the waistband 14, to create the pantyhose 10 or 10′ of FIGS. 1-3. Alternatively, a gusset can be made as a separate piece from a cotton yarn or with a cotton lining and sewn to the crotch area 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment 40 of this invention, made with a different circular knitting machine, which creates one tubular blank 41 as shown in FIG. 6. Referring to both FIGS. 5 and 6, the pantyhose 40 are similar to the pantyhose 10 and 10′ of FIGS. 1-3. However, the seam 42 of the pantyhose 40 is located in the leg portions 44 a and 44 b.

The tubular blank 41 which is large enough to hold the lower torso of a wearer, has a waistband 54 and a one piece leg band 46. To make a pantyhose from the tubular blank 41, it is cut through the leg band 46, leg area 44, and a predetermined amount in the non-reinforced segment 52 both in front and the back. Subsequently, the corresponding cut edges 49 are joined together along the seam 42 to create the two legs 44 a and 44 b. The seam line 42 extends up from the leg band 46 a to the crotch and back down to the leg band 46 b.

It should be noted that for simplicity the pantyhose 40 are shown as footless pantyhose. However, the pantyhose 40 can be made to have foot portions to cover the feet of the wearer in which case the seam line 42 extends to the toe seam line at the feet.

The panty portion 48 of the pantyhose 40 has a reinforced segment 50 which is integrally knitted to a non-reinforced segment 52 within the tubular blank 41. The reinforced segment 50 generally extends from the waistband 54 to the hip line 56 and the non-reinforced segment 52 generally extends from the hip line 56 to the transition line 58.

It should be noted that in this specification, ‘integrally knitted to each other” shall mean “both segments are knitted into one tubular blank”, which means they can either abut each other or can have a buffering zone 55 as shown in FIG. 7. In FIGS. 7-10 and FIGS. 1-3, identical numerals depict the like elements. A buffering zone can also be used between the reinforced segment and the waistband or between the non-reinforced segment and the leg portions.

If a buffering zone 55 is used, it can have different characteristics. The buffering zone can have different stitch patterns or yarn selection with any denier. In other words, each buffering zone can have different elastic or body yarns with any denier, or can have a gradual change of denier, which can create gradual change of reinforcement or compression. Furthermore, the buffering zone can be knitted with just the body yarn without the use of any elastic yarns. In addition, the buffering zones can be used with different embodiments of this invention.

The panty portion of the embodiments of 10, 10′, and 40 are shaped like shorts.

However, it is possible to apply the present invention to pantyhose with a panty portion that is shaped like panties as shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the reinforced segment 22 is similar to the reinforced segment of the pantyhose 10 of FIG. 1. However, the non-reinforced segment 57 ends at the fold lines 32 a and 32 b from which the legs 59 a and 59 b start. In this type of pantyhose again the reinforced segment 22 encircles the body extending from the waistband to the hip line 26 and the non-reinforced segment 57, which holds the crotch, extends from the hip line 26 to the crotch line 28.

In FIGS. 1-5, the reinforced segments 22 and 50 are shown to end on a straight line. However, different variations can also be used. For example, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a reinforced segment 22′ or 22″ can end on a curved hip line such as hip lines 26′ or 26″. The curved hip lines 26′ or 26′ can be used either in front or the back, or both in front and the back.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, there are shown front and back views of an alternative embodiment 60 of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows the footless version of FIG. 11. In FIGS. 11-13, identical numerals depict the like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the reinforced segment 62 starts at waistband 64 and continues down to the hip line 66. To prevent any sudden bulging of the hips after the hip line 66, the reinforced segment 62 elongates along the sides 70 a and 72 b of the leg portions 72 a and 72 b respectively. The reinforced segments 70 a and 70 b are shown to terminate somewhere above the knee. However, if one desires the reinforced segments 70 a and 70 b can terminate somewhere below the knee or can continue into the foot portions. The reinforced segments 70 a and 70 b provide a continuous support on the sides of the legs without placing unnecessary compressive force on the crotch and the leg fold lines. The remaining portions of the pantyhose 60 outside of the reinforced portions 62, 70 a, and 70 b are non-reinforced.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, there are shown front and back views of another alternative embodiment 80 of the present invention. FIG. 16 shows the footless version of FIG. 14. In FIGS. 14-16, identical numerals depict the like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, the reinforced portion 82 starts at the waistband 84, continues down to the hip line 86, and continues along the sides 90 a and 90 b of the leg portions 92 a and 92 b respectively. Then somewhere below the crotch line 88, for example 1 to 2 inches below the crotch line 88, the reinforced sides 90 a and 90 b expand to cover a larger portion 94 a and 94 b of the leg portions 92 a and 92 b. The reinforced portions 94 a and 94 b are shown to terminate somewhere above the knee. However, they can terminate somewhere below the knee or continue into the foot portion. The remaining portions of the pantyhose 80 outside of the reinforced portions 82, 90 a, 90 b, 94 a, and 94 b are non-reinforced.

Referring to FIGS. 17, and 18, there are shown front and back views of another alternative embodiment 110 of the present invention. FIG. 19 shows the footless version of FIG. 17. In FIGS. 17-19, identical numerals depict the like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 17-19, the reinforced segment 112 starts at the waistband 114, continues down to the hip line 116, and then continues along the sides 120 a and 120 b of the leg portions 122 a and 122 b respectively. Then somewhere below the crotch line 118, for example 1 to 2 inches below the crotch line 118, the reinforced sides 120 a and 120 b expand, shown by 124 a and 124 b, to cover the entire circumference of a wearer's legs. The expanded reinforced segments 124 a and 124 b are shown to terminate somewhere above the knee. However, if one desires the reinforced segments 124 a and 124 b can terminate somewhere below the knee or continue into the foot portion. The remaining portions of the pantyhose 110 outside of the reinforced portions 112, 120 a, 120 b, 124 a, and 124 b are non-reinforced.

It should be noted that both the reinforced and the non-reinforced segments, in all the embodiments of the present invention, can have one or more stitch patterns, one or more body yarns, and one or more elastic yarns with different characteristics. For example, the area slightly above or below the crotch lines in the above embodiments, can be knitted with 2×1 rib pattern to strengthen the crotch area.

It should further be noted that in all the footless embodiments, the reinforced portions on the legs can be continued all the way to the knitted-in welt of the legs or can be terminated somewhere prior to the knitted-in welts.

The embodiments of the pantyhose 60, 80, and 110 can also be applied to the pantyhose 10, 10′, and 40 (with foot and footless).

It should be noted that numerous changes in details of construction, combination, and arrangement of elements may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A control top pantyhose comprising: a panty portion connected to two leg portions; the panty portion having a crotch area; the panty portion being comprised of reinforced and non-reinforced segments integrally knitted to each other: the reinforced segment encircling the body of a wearer; and the non-reinforced segment covering the crotch area.
 2. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the panty portion is connected to a waist terminating portion.
 3. The control top pantyhose of claim 2, wherein the panty portion comprises a first panty portion and a second panty portion connected to each other along a seam line extending down from the front of the waist terminating portion to the crotch and extending up to the back of the waist terminating portion.
 4. The control top pantyhose of claim 3, wherein each one of the first and second panty portion is knitted with a portion of the reinforced segment and a portion of the non-reinforced segment.
 5. The control top pantyhose of claim 3, wherein the first and second panty portions are connected to a first leg portion and a second leg portions respectively.
 6. The control top pantyhose of claim 3, wherein the pantyhose are footless and each leg terminates at a leg band.
 7. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein each leg portion is connected to a leg terminating portion.
 8. The control top pantyhose of claim 7, wherein the leg portions comprise a seam starting from one leg terminating portion extending up to the crotch and back down to the leg terminating portion of the other leg.
 9. The control top pantyhose of claim 7, wherein the pantyhose are footless and the leg terminating portions are leg bands.
 10. The control top pantyhose of claim 7, wherein the leg terminating portions are toe seams.
 11. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the reinforced segment substantially covers the abdomen of a wearer.
 12. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the reinforced and non-reinforced panty segments abut each other.
 13. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the reinforced and non-reinforced panty segments are connected to each other through a buffering zone.
 14. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the reinforced and non-reinforced panty segments are connected to each other along a curved line.
 15. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the panty portion is shaped like shorts.
 16. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the panty portion is shaped like panties.
 17. A control top pantyhose comprising: a panty portion connected to two leg portions; the panty portion having a crotch area; a first section partially located in the panty portion; a portion of the first section in the panty portion encircling the body of a wearer; a second section including the crotch area; the first section being reinforced; and the second section being non-reinforced.
 18. The control top pantyhose of claim 15, wherein the first section has a portion in each leg portion.
 19. The control top pantyhose of claim 15, wherein the first section in each leg portion elongates along the leg.
 20. The control top pantyhose of claim 15, wherein the first section in each leg encircles the leg of the wearer. 